Top US Military Officer Draws Fire for Comments on Homosexuality

Marine General Peter Pace, the top-ranking U.S. military officer, has drawn criticism from a gay-and-lesbian advocacy group after calling homosexual acts immoral.

In a newspaper interview Monday, Pace said he does not believe gays should serve openly in the armed forces, because he said he would not want the force to be seen as condoning immoral behavior.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman said he would not want the military to accept open homosexuality just as he would not want it to accept open adultery.

Since 1993, the United States has allowed homosexuals to serve in the military as long as they keep their sexuality private, a policy known as "don't ask, don't tell."

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has demanded an apology from Pace. The advocacy group provides legal representation for former servicemembers discharged from the military for being homosexual.